(CNN) -- Airline satisfaction might seem like an oxymoron these days, with fees and cramped cabins making flying miserable for many people, but fliers are giving the industry better marks, a new survey finds.

Passenger satisfaction with carriers has improved for the second year in a row, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2011 North America Airline Satisfaction Study released Wednesday.

Also getting high marks: The check-in and reservation process for all airlines.

Despite initially balking at the automation of those tasks, passengers "now appear more satisfied with the convenience and speed that technology has enabled," said Stuart Greif, a vice president at J.D. Power and Associates.